Latest news with #NaraiHotel
Hypebeast
21-07-2025
- Business
- Hypebeast
Heatherwick Studio Announces Lantern-Inspired Hatai Development in Bangkok
Summary Heatherwick Studiohas unveiled Hatai, its first project in Thailand — a mixed-use development inBangkok's Silom district that reimagines the site of the original Narai Hotel. Inspired by the delicate craftsmanship of traditional Thai lanterns, the design features a series of stacked, rounded forms that soften the city's skyline and evoke a sense of warmth and celebration. At the heart of the development are two hotels – Six Senses and a new Narai Hotel – offering over 300 rooms alongside a wellness center, ballroom and conference facilities. The ground level of Hatai is conceived as a vibrant public village, designed to foster community engagement and street-level life. Spanning 5,200 square meters, the space includes a green canopied plaza with native planting, a restored canal, elevated walkways and amenities like a shrine, open-air market, nursery and event spaces. Heatherwick Studio's approach emphasizes openness and accessibility, aiming to create a meaningful urban intervention that blends heritage with contemporary needs. Scheduled to open in 2028, Hatai reflects Heatherwick Studio's commitment to culturally resonant design and sustainable development. The project is expected to meet LEED and WELL Gold standards, incorporating biophilic elements, recycled materials and natural light strategies. By integrating traditional symbolism with modern architecture, Hatai offers a sculptural and soulful addition to Bangkok's evolving cityscape.
Time Out
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Bangkok's next great landmark is a lantern
Bangkok's skyline is constantly evolving with new landmarks like the One Bangkok development, EA Rooftop at The Empire, and Cloud 11. But if you think the city has run out of room for more, think again. In a city where ancient temples sit alongside cutting-edge skyscrapers and creativity flows as freely as the Chao Phraya River, a new cultural icon is about to rise. And this time, it takes the shape of a traditional Thai lantern. Back in 2024, Narai Hotel, a long-standing fixture in the Silom neighbourhood, announced its closure for renovation after welcoming guests for nearly 56 years. Naturally, many wondered what would take its place. Now, there's an exciting update: the site won't simply reopen as Narai Hotel. Instead, it will become part of a larger mixed-use development called Hatai, created in partnership with Six Senses, part of the luxury IHG Hotels & Resorts family. Hatai will bring together a reimagined Narai Hotel and a Six Senses property, along with a public plaza, canal restoration and open-air community spaces. While it may sound like another upscale addition to the Big Mango, what truly sets this venture apart is its visionary design led by none other than Heatherwick Studio. If you haven't heard of Heatherwick Studio before, you might still recognise their work, like The Vessel at Hudson Yards in New York. For the very first time, this world-renowned firm is bringing its signature style to Thailand with a project inspired by the beauty and symbolism of Thai lanterns. Instead of another glass-and-steel tower, Thomas Heatherwick and his team set out to create something that respects the country's architectural heritage while standing out from the rest of the skyline. Structures are made up of stacked, glowing volumes with textured surfaces that soften the edges and catch the light, breaking away from the flat, repetitive facades often seen in the area. Elevated walkways will link the site to nearby streets, offering shaded paths and easier access. Over 5,000 square metres of public space, including green areas and a restored canal, will create a place that's not just for guests, but for the whole community to enjoy. Even though it's still under construction and won't open until 2028, you can already tell it's going to bring a spark of something different to the city's skyline. And who knows – maybe it'll become one of those places everyone wants to see.
